Residents ‘kept awake at night’ by moped riders waiting to take fast-food orders

'They talk to each other across the road. They’ve trashed the street.'

14 September, 2018

SLEEPLESS neighbours living near a McDonald’s restaurant say they feel like moving house after being kept awake by moped riders waiting to take fast-food orders.

Residents say they are losing out on sleep because of the rising popularity of Uber Eats, which allows customers to order food from the burger chain online and have it delivered to their home.

While the technology has made it even easier to get fast-food, people living in Holloway say a lack of control over the system means this has been at their expense.

Claire Patel, who lives in Eburne Road, close to the McDonald’s in Seven Sisters Road, said: “There’s engines running, revving, beeping and shouting.

“They were even fighting and swearing at each other at the week- end when it’s really bad. And then in the morning all the litter they leave behind is disgusting.”

Disturbances go on until around 4am she said, adding: “The neighbour over the road says it’s really getting to her. She’s going to have to move. This is a small residential street.

“Islington Council have literally said they aren’t interested because it’s a public road and they [the drivers] can do what they want.”

Ms Patel said her complaints to McDonald’s, the Town
Hall and UberEats have fallen on deaf ears so far.

Claire Patel

She said: “McDonald’s say that technically they [the moped riders] aren’t employed by them, so it’s nothing to do with them. Uber say the drivers are self-employed so it’s nothing to do with them.”

Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I work 13-and-a-half-hour shifts as a mental health nurse. I just want to chill after my shift but I can’t relax on my balcony any more. The bikes are facing me – it’s horrible and they talk so loudly.

“I keep hearing the noises as they park up and leave all the time. They talk to each other across the road. They’ve trashed the street.”

Uber Eats is a service run by technology giant Uber which is based in San Francisco.

Customers use an app on their phone to order food from restaurants which is delivered by self-employed drivers who use bikes, mopeds or cars.

It is one of a handful of companies running a similar food orders service.

Councillor Andy Hull, Islington’s community safety chief, said: “We understand that a number of residents have concerns about the behaviour of food couriers and delivery drivers parked near their homes. Council officers have been working hard to find a solution to the issues, and have been liaising with food delivery companies to voice residents’ concerns.

“We are pleased that both restaurants and food delivery companies have taken some positive steps towards supporting Islington residents, including removing couriers who have been causing problems, but we know there is more work to be done in this area and we will continue to push for greater action on resi- dents’ behalf.

“Residents who are witnessing anti-social behaviour are encouraged to report it to the council’s anti-social behaviour team through our website, or by calling 020 7527 7272.”

An Uber spokeswoman said: “We take any reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and are regularly in contact with couriers and council representatives to discuss any concerns.

“Reports are always investigated and couriers found to be engaging in unsafe, unruly or anti-social behaviour may lose their access to the Uber Eats app.”